Walt Disney Animation Studios Animation Research Library Intern, Summer 2026

This internship at Walt Disney Animation Studios' Animation Research Library (ARL) focuses on the preservation of animation art. Interns will work with the Collections team on rehousing, reordering, and cataloging the archive of over 65 million pieces of original artwork. Responsibilities include handling 2D and 3D art, creating catalog records with metadata, and supporting research and exhibitions. The program offers hands-on projects, mentorship, and a collaborative team environment, developing skills in animation preservation and archival practices.

Must Have

• Work with the ARL’s Collections team to rehouse, reorder, and catalogue the archive of animation art.
• Learn proper care for 2D and 3D animation art, including handling and storage.
• Participate in creating catalog records in the collections management system, noting physical characteristics and metadata.
• Process and rehouse physical artwork for digitization using best museum practices.
• Support research and exhibitions by organizing, tracking, safely moving artworks, and constructing specialized archival housing.
• Capture metadata and catalog artwork into collections, identifying medium, artist, measurements, and labels.
• Research films, characters, and creators to produce accurate and comprehensive catalogue records.
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment.
• Detail-oriented, with conscientious work habits.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Basic familiarity with library and/or archives processes and standards.
• Interest in animation and/or original artwork.
• Experience with Google tools (Drive, Calendar, etc.) and Microsoft Office programs.
• Comfort with handling potentially fragile objects.
• Physical ability to lift, push, pull, or physically maneuver a minimum of 35 lbs of materials and/or supplies.
• Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess unrestricted work authorization.
• Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or Disney College Program.
• Able to have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship.
• Fully available M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm PST for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week.
• Able to provide own housing for the duration internship program in the Glendale, CA area.
• Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work.

Good to Have

• Experience in working in a library, archive or museum.
• Cataloging experience.
• Experience with relational databases.
• Majoring in art, art history, film or animation is a plus.

Perks & Benefits

• Paid Disney Internship
• Medical benefits
• Financial benefits
• Other benefits

Job Summary:

About the Role & Program:

Have you wondered how your skills and talents could translate into the world of Animation Preservation? Our internship program dives into the craft, technology and operations behind the archiving and conservation of our legacy production materials and art, while developing your skills and connecting you to industry mentors. You'll learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative team and how your unique talents can grow within our organization. Find yourself immersed in hands-on projects and learning guided by our archivists, collection specialists and leaders of the world's largest animation archive.

The Animation Research Library (ARL) is dedicated to the preservation of the artistic heritage of the Walt Disney Animation Studios for enrichment and inspiration. We house a collection of more than 65,000,000 pieces of original artwork, which includes, but is not limited to, conceptual art, storyboards, maquettes, hand drawn production art, 3D models, textures, image files and final rendered images.

What You Will Do

Working with the ARL’s Collections team, you will be part of our ongoing efforts to rehouse, reorder, and catalogue our archive of animation art. Working with our physical collection, you will learn the proper way to care for both 2D and 3D animation art, including how to properly handle art and store it correctly. You will also participate in the creation of catalog records in our collections management system, carefully noting physical characteristics and metadata associated with each piece of art. Which films the intern works with will depend on the priorities and the needs of the greater Walt Disney Company at the time of the internship.

Tasks will include:

Archiving and rehousing:

Processing the physical artwork that has been identified to be digitized into the ARL’s collections management database including:

• Process and rehouse physical artwork for digitization using best museum practices – handling, identifying mediums and ensuring proper archival storage and production order
• Support research and exhibitions by organizing, tracking and safely moving artworks and constructing specialized archival housing as needed.

Cataloguing:

Creating catalog records for animation artwork in a relational database

• Capture metadata and catalog artwork into collections, including identifying medium, artist, measurements and labels for consistency across films.
• Research films, characters and creators as needed to produce accurate and comprehensive catalogue records.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment
• Detail-oriented, with conscientious work habits
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Basic familiarity with library and/or archives processes and standards
• Interest in animation and/or original artwork
• Experience with Google tools (Drive, Calendar, etc.) and Microsoft office programs
• Comfort with handling potentially fragile objects
• Requires the physical ability to lift, push, pull or physically maneuver a minimum of 35 lbs of materials and/or supplies

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience in working in a library, archive or museum
• Cataloging experience
• Experience with relational databases

Required Education:

• Junior or Senior year preferred

Preferred Education:

• Majoring in art, art history, film or animation is a plus

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:

• Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess unrestricted work authorization
• Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or Disney College Program

Additional Information:

• Approximate internship dates: June 1, 2026-August 21, 2026
• Able to have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship
• Fully available M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm PST for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week.
• Able to provide own housing for the duration internship program in the Glendale, CA area
• Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work

The pay rate for this role in California is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.